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The importance of experience and memory becomes increasingly evident. 81st anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz.
On January 27, 2026 a group 21 Survivors of Auschwitz gathered at the site of the former Auschwitz camp to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp. The event was held under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki.
The witnesses to history were accompanied by the President of Poland, as well as Minister of Culture and National Heritage Marta Cienkowska, ambassadors, diplomats, representatives of religious communities, regional and local authorities, donors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation, and staff from museums and memorial sites. The event was hosted by Marek Zając, the Secretary of the International Auschwitz Council.
The main event took place in the historic building of the so-called Central Sauna at the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau camp site. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the ruins of Gas Chamber and Crematorium IV. The original prison uniforms worn by camp inmates were a symbolic element on stage.
The core of the commemoration was the voices of the Survivors, including those present and those who had previously shared their testimonies and memories, expressing their experiences and warnings.
In order to focus entirely on the voices of the Victims and Survivors of Auschwitz, a decision was made to refrain from any political speeches on this day and in this particular place. This decision was unanimously supported by the International Auschwitz Council.
At the beginning, those gathered at the Memorial Site and all viewers of the broadcast heard an excerpt from a profound testimony. Załmen Gradowski, a Polish Jew, was deported to Auschwitz from the Grodno Ghetto with his entire family. His loved ones, including his parents and wife, were murdered in the gas chamber immediately after their arrival at the camp. Gradowski, assigned to the Sonderkommando—a special group of prisoners forced to work in the gas chambers and crematoria—sought to inform the world about the mass murder. He secretly wrote notes that became a shocking literary record of the tragedy.
A moving excerpt from his text written in Auschwitz—a unique appeal to the Moon—was read by actor Michał Żebrowski:
“How can you wander about, dreamy, lovesick, enchanted as before, and not feel the terrible annihilation, the great misfortune brought down by them, the murderers and pirates of the world? How can you not feel? Do you not miss the millions of effervescent lives that had lived secure, calm and carefree all over Europe, until the storm came, drowning the world in a sea of blood? How can you not look down, dear moon, on the desolate world, and not notice the empty homes, extinguished candles, vanished lives? … How can you not feel, O moon, the horribly grief that has enveloped the world? …Come, moon; cast a glance from your shining eyes on this cursed dark earth…”.
During the commemoration, Auschwitz Survivor Bernard Offen addressed the audience.
“I am almost 97 years young, and I am a survivor of five camps including this one. Why do I mention those days? When you survive the Holocaust, when each day was a struggle to stay alive, you realize that each day of life is precious,” he said.
During his speech Bernard Offen recalled the moment on the Auschwitz ramp when he was separated from his father: “My father was sent to the left, toward death, and I was sent to the right. I remember that moment—our eye contact and the feeling that we were seeing each other for the last time. He was sent to his death and I was given a chance to live. Then they tattooed a number on my forearm and I was transferred to a transit camp. There, when I asked what had happened to my father, my fellow prisoners replied that he was turned into smoke. It took me some time to understand what that meant.”
In his speech Bernard Offen also shared a reflection directed toward the future: “Today, as I look at contemporary times, I see many signs I know all too well. I see hatred resurgent. I see violence beginning to be justified once again. I see people who believe their anger is more valuable than another human life. I say this because I am an old man who has seen where indifference leads to. And I say this because I believe—I truly believe—that we can choose differently.”
“I ask you today, let memory not be a burden. Let it be a light that guides us in the darkness. We, the witnesses, will soon pass away, but I believe this light will remain with you,” Bernard Offen emphasized.
The commemoration event also included a film featuring short reflections by Survivors on the significance of memory in the contemporary world. They included Irene Weiss, Eva Szepesi, Lidia Maksymowicz, Janina Iwańska, Eva Umlauf, Barbara Wojnarowska-Gautier, Zdzisława Włodarczyk, Leon Weintraub, Bogdan Bartnikowski, and Marian Turski.
“We must, as thinking people, who want good for humanity, one day break this spiral of evil.” (Leon Weintraub)
“I always repeat to the students at schools that they should learn from what has happened, that it can always repeat. Be alert, don't be silent!” (Eva Szepesi)
“Think and remember about the tragic past, but not get stuck in hatred towards other people, who think or speak differently. Look at the world in a positive way. It is very difficult, but we should do that. There is no other way.” (Bogdan Bartnikowski)
Yossi Matias, Vice President of Engineering and Research at Google and Head of Google Research, spoke on behalf of the donors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation.
“I clearly remember my first visit to Auschwitz 14 years ago. Standing on this ground transformed the stories, pictures and documentaries into a crushing reality. Feeling the magnitude of the silence that is impossible to convey. The realization that what happened here is beyond comprehension,” he said.
“But today, these memories are being challenged by growing shadow of distortion. The preservation of testimony has never been more critical. It is no longer enough to simply make information available. Our responsibility is to ensure it remains trusted and deeply understood. By leveraging technology, we can transform historical content into living memory, one that remains accessible and profoundly felt by the generations to come,” added Yossi Matias.
“So, we are redoubling our efforts. We are working with the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum to leverage the best of our technology, to help empower those who are doing the important work. We want to help preserve these testimonies and allow the world to experience this place through a digital lens,” he added.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Foundation for your tireless, holy work. Please know that we remain committed to supporting you in this shared mission” concluded Yossi Mattias.
The Director of the Auschwitz Memorial, Dr. Piotr M. A. Cywiński, dedicated his address to memory and experience.
“Today we live in difficult times, when an order built through immense effort is fracturing, when international law is violated, and when entire systems of rules and values are collapsing before our eyes. Today, the importance of experience and Memory becomes increasingly evident, as we more frequently encounter situations that are unexpected, unpredictable, and incomprehensible. Therefore, we must rely on experience and its twin: Memory,” Piotr Cywiński said.
“Your experience, Dear Ones, so profoundly painful and difficult, so cruel and nearly unfathomable, has become the foundation of our Memory. And thus today, amidst the storms of present challenges and threats, it is our treasure, our signpost, our suggestions, our warning. It is our power, both individually and collectively. Therefore, each day should begin with a feeling of gratitude, ours toward you – the Survivors,” he added.
“For if we were to reject Memory and experience, we would soon again, like Załmen Gradowski, accuse even the moon of indifference, begging it to ‘Come, moon; cast a glance from your shining eyes on this cursed dark earth!’” he concluded.
Following the speeches, prayers were recited by: rabbi Tomer Rehovi, bishop Roman Pindel, bishop Adrian Korczago and hegumen Aleksander.
Symbolic candles—lit with a flame passed on by the Survivors—were placed:
• at the monument commemorating the victims of the camp by the President of Poland Karol Nawrocki;
• at the remains of the so-called Bunker II by Wojciech Soczewica, Director General of the Auschwitz-Birkenau together with Yossi Matias and Rowan Burnett from Google on behalf of the donors of the Foundation;
• at the ruins of Gas Chamber and Crematorium IV by Minister of Culture and National Heritage Marta Cienkowska, together with Piotr Cywiński and Marek Zając.
The commemoration event included compositions by two Auschwitz survivors Artur Krzetuski, Józef Kropiński, as well as Victor Ullmann and Gideon Klein who were murdered in the camp. The pieces were performed by Aleksandra Marchewka.
Earlier that day, the Survivors, along with the management and staff of the Auschwitz Memorial, laid wreaths in the courtyard of Block 11 at the former Auschwitz I camp.
THE ADDRESS OF DR. PIOTR M. A. CYWIŃSKI, DIRECTOR OF THE AUSCHWITZ MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM DURING THE 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION
A human being facing unexpected,
unpredictable and incomprehensible events
relies heavily on experience.
It is in experience that one seeks points of reference, guidance, and rescue.
A human being without experience is helpless.
Experience is a force.
In times of rapid change, in periods of instability,
in moments that are dangerous, unpredictable, and difficult to grasp,
we all seek refuge, points of reference, and help in Memory.
Memory assists in discernment,
in avoiding threats,
in choosing directions, and in making conscious decisions.
Memory is our stronghold, our support,
the source from which we judge the most difficult situations.
From it arises the necessity and hierarchy of our steps and actions.
Memory is a power.
Exactly like experience.
Memory and experience are, in essence, twin concepts
as alike as only twins can be.
They are treasures, signposts, suggestions and warnings.
Today we live in difficult times,
when an order built through immense effort is fracturing,
when international law is violated,
and when entire systems of rules and values are collapsing before our eyes.
Today, the importance of experience and Memory becomes increasingly evident,
as we more frequently encounter situations
that are unexpected, unpredictable, and incomprehensible.
Therefore, we must rely on experience and its twin: Memory.
Memory is not a burden; it guides us toward meaning.
Memory does not arise from obligation, but rather multiplies possibilities.
Memory should be regarded not as a lesson to be completed,
but as a source of genuine support, reinforcement,
of enhancing awareness,
and expanding and deepening our understanding.
Only one who does not value experience will also fail to value Memory.
Your experience, Dear Ones,
so profoundly painful and difficult,
so cruel and nearly unfathomable,
has become the foundation of our Memory.
And thus today, amidst the storms of present challenges and threats,
it is our treasure, our signpost, our suggestions, our warning.
It is our power, both individually and collectively.
Therefore, each day should begin
with a feeling of gratitude, ours toward you - the Survivors.
For if we were to reject Memory and experience,
we would soon again,
like Załmen Gradowski,
accuse even the moon of indifference,
begging it to
“Come, moon; cast a glance from your shining eyes
on this cursed dark earth!”
